Textile-machine.



E. F. HATHAWAY & C. LEA

TEXTILE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 3. I908.

Patented June 20, 1916.

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TEXTILE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 3; I908- Patented June 20, 1916.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Q a y E. F. HATHAWAY & C. LEA.

TEXTILE MACHINE.

APPLICATIONIILED NOV- 3,1908.

Patented June 20, 1916.

- 9 SHEETS-SHEET 3- E. F. HATHAWAY & C. LEA,

TEXTILE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED. NOV. 3. 1908.

Pateni ed June 20,1916.

9 SHEETSSHEET 4.

E. F. HATHAWAY & c. LEA. TEX TIL E MACHINE. .APPLICATION FILED NOV- 31 190B- Patented June 20, 1916.

9 SHEETSSHEET 5.

E. F. HATHAWAY & C. LEA.

TEXTILE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 3. I908.

Patented June 20, 1916.

9 SHEETSSHEET 6- WM? rigs E. F. HATHAWAY an 0. LEA.-

TEXTILE MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 3. 1908.

Patented June 20, 1916.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 7- E. F. HATHAWAY & 'C. LEA- TEXTILE MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED. NOV- 1908.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

wwmwsfls I fi v aw w mwa Patented June2Q1916. p

' E. F. HATHAWAY & c. LEA."

TEXTILE MACHINE.

APPLICATION mm NOV. a. 1908.

Patented June 20, 1916.

9 SHEETSS HEET 9.

EDGAR 1E. HATHAWAY, F DOMHEFTER, AND @Hmfifii LEA, 40F BUSTUN, MFS$ACHU SETTS, ASSIG-NORS T0 AMERIGAFT WAEP DRAWWGMIACHINE QOMJEANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A COBPORATIQN' MAINE.

Specification at ltettcre Patent. pmtgmtgfl Jung gin) ymm,

Application filed. November a, race. semi no. eeaeto.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JEDGARF. HATHA- WAY and CHARLES LEA, both citizens of the United States, and residing, respectively, at Dorchester and Boston, both in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented an improvement in Textile-Machines, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

Our invention relates to textile machines, being more particularly, although not exclusively, concerned with'machines for selecting and presenting detached thread-engaging loom elements, such as the detached heddles ota metal harness, drop wires or drop heddles, or other like devices, for any desired operation such, for example, as a threading operation.

/Vhile various features of our invention have broad application to other purposes than the drawing-in operation, to illustrate one concretevembodiment of the same we have herein illustrated a drawing-in machine embodying in itself various features of novelty apart from, and not limited to, the mechanism for handling the drop wires, which machine, however, Wlll serve to illustrate the broad principles of our invention.

()ur invention will be best understood by reference to the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying illustration o1 one specific embodiment thereof, while its scope will be more partioularly pointed out in the appended claims.

in the drawings: Figure 1 isa front elevation of a drawing-in machine embodying one form of our invention; Fig. 2 is a detail, in longitudinal section, showing one of the supporting shafts tor the pattern control mechanism; Fig. 3 is an end elevation 01" the separable pattern actuating lever for the warp thread and drop wire presenting devices; Fig. 4 is a plan view, partly broken away, showing the principal working parts of the drawing-in machine illustrated in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is an end elevation in transverse section, on an enlarged scale, showing the drawing-in needle and principal coiipcrating parts; Fig. 6 is a detail, in side elevation with certain parts removed, showing the needle actuating mechanism; Fig. 7 is a section on the line 7-7 in Fig. 6; Fig. 8 s a rear elevation of one end of the drawng-in machine on an enlarged scale; Fig. 9 1s a similar view of the ad acent portion of the machine; Fig. 10 is a side elevation of one end of the machine on an enlarged scale; Fig. 11 is a side elevation, partially in Sect1on, showing the speed changing device for the drop wire presenting mechanism; Fig. 12 isa central longitudinal section through the same speed changing device; Fig. 13 shows an elevation in partial transverse section of the driving gear for the pattern head; Fig. 14 is a plan view of one of the pattern controlled clutches for the pattern head; Fig. 15 is an elevation in central longitudinal section showing the pattern controlled clutch of Fig. 14; Fig. 16 is a side elevation, partially in section, showing the packing carriage equipped with equalizing mechanism for use with two banks of drop wires; Fig. 17 is a section on the line 1717 in Fig. 16, showing the drop wlre packer with its carriage; Fig. 18 is aside elevation of the auxiliary head for the drop wire presenting mechanism; Fig. 19 is a detail in section of the coupling for the drop wire releasing rod; Fig. 20 is a section on the line 20-20 in Fig. 19; F ig.' 21 is a side elevation of the drop wire presenting mechanism, showing the packing carriage arranged for a single bank of drop wires; Fig. 22 shows in side elevation one form of mul, tiple threaded drop wire; Fig. 23 shows in side elevation one form of single threaded drop wire; Fig. 24 is a similar view of the same type of drop wires shown in Fig. 23, but complementary in its form to the latter; Fig. 25 is an end elevation, partly broken away, of the auxiliary head shown in in end elevation the turning worm .when first engaging a drop wire; Fig. 30 shows the same drop wirewhen turned; Fig. 31 shows in side elevation the same drop wire while undergoing discharge; Fig. 32 is a section to, 10 inclusive.

parts. i While any desired arrangement of the tion by embodiment in a well-known type of drawing-in machine, best known in Figs. 1

In this machine there is 'providedfa bed or body 1. mounted upon the legs 2 and having a longitudinally. extending arched support 3 rising from the bed and adapted to sustain the warp, heddles, reed and drop wires, as well as certain of the operating warp, heddles and drawing-in mechanism -may be had to provide the desired relative traverse between the drawing-in mechanism andthe individual'members of the warp and -harnesses, in the present instance the drawing-in mechanism is provided upon a traversing carriage 4 and is positively moved lengthwise of the machine across the warp and draws selected threads through selected drop wires, harness eyes and reed dents.

The warp supporting carriage (Figs. 8, 9 and 10) which comprises vertically disposed end bars 5 connected by horizontal rods 6, is mounted at the rearyside of the r machine; and is provided with. longitudi nally' and outwardly directed rods 7 guided for movement upon rollers 3 mounted in the arch 3' of the frame. This provides for Ion-:-

gitudinal movement of the warp support and its warp, so that compensating adjustment of the warp may be effected to keepit in'proper relatlon to the drawing-in and selecting mechanism.

The warp threads (represented by dotted lines in Fig. 10) pass upwardly from the warp beam (not shown) througha lower clamp 9, thence about the-thread presenting shaft-or rod 10 and thence back to the upper 7 I clampll, the latter adjustably supported" on the warp carriage,- so that the warp threads are held clamped and stretched in- 'the dce ibedjfra'me, while-- partially wrapped about the separator 'fshaft,'as shown.

y The lower clamp is 'remo'vably held carriage -by means of the clamping'screws shown, while the upper clamp is removably. clamped, as by the screws shown, at each end y in a sliding carrier 12, the latter slidably mounted on the rearwardly-proj'ecting rods 13, so 'that'the clamp 'canvbemoved toward" or. away from the separating shaft to stretch r or loosen the threads. Each carrier is pro- 'vided with a set screw 14: so that it can be fastened in any selected'position of adjustment. 1

the warp 'carriage longitudinally.

Longitudinal'movement of thewarp carriage or purposes of compensation may be effected in any desired way, herein b wellknown-means (Figs. 8 and 10) whic comprise a rack member 15 projectin endwise from the warp frame (F1 8) an meshing with a worm 16 preferab y of large diameter, as shown. The worm ma be turned either manually or automatically to adjBust manual adjustment the worm is secured to a sprocket wheel engaging the sprocket chain 17, the latter passing upwardly to an overhead sprocket wheel 18, secured to a gear 19 meshing'with a pinion 20. The pinion 20 is splined to a rod 21 connected to a hand.

rod 22, so that, by turning the latter, the worm 16 may be turned through the de scribed connections and longitudinal adjustment imparted to the warp carriage.

The rod 21 is splined to the pinion 20 so that'the hand rod 22 may be shoved endwise to control the application of ower to the machine, this being efi'ected (Fig. 9) by providing at the opposite end of the rod 22 a swiveled part 23 connected to the upright lever24. The lever 24 (Figs. 1 and 9) has connection tothe horizontal actuating link 25 and, when moved, is adapted simultaneously to engage the clutch 26 and release the brake 27, or open the clutch and apply the brake.

' For the automatic adjustment of the warp carriage the carriage adjusting worm 16 is fixedly, secured to a knurled or finely toothed disk 23, with which engages a pawl 29 (Fig.

10) the latter acting to rotate the disk in a step-bysstep manner. The pawl is secured to a pin 30, the latter loosely journaled in the end of a swinging arm 31 mounted to swing about the shaft of the worm wheel.

' The opposite end of the pinis secured to a stop-lever 32, the said swinging arm carry- ,ing an adjustable contact screw 33 permitting a fine degree of adjustment. To reciprocate the pawl, there is connected to the stop lever 32 a rod 34, the other end of which is pivotally connected to a slotted portion of the reciprocating actuating lever 35. As'the' rod 34 is thrown forward it engages the pawl with the knurled disk and turns the worm. As it retracts it first disengages the pawl and then causes the stop lever to "engagethe contact screw and then causes the pawl, stop lever and swinging arm to swing back as a unit about the .worm shaft. To compel the release of the pawl before the movement of the swinging arm, the

' latter is preferably held with more or less friction on the worm shaft as by means of thespiralspring 35 (Fig. 8).

The actuating lever 35 1s ivotally mounted on the machine frame Fig. 10) and is adapted to be reciprocated'by a cam 36 carried by'the lead screw 37, being held against the cam by the spring 35. The latter also imparts movement to the traversing carriage and the various selecting and presenting devices, and is driven by the sprocket chain 38, counter-shaft 39 and speed change gearing 4:0 which is interposed between the countershaft 39 and the intermediate shaft 41, which latter is connected by the sprocket chain 42 to be driven from the main drive shaft 43 of the machine.

Referring now to the drawing-in needle and traversing carriage (Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 the needle 44 ismounted upon a traveling needle carriage 45, which latter has a split nut 46 en aging the lead screw 37, whereby a prefera 1y continuous movement is imparted to the carriage lengthwise the machine.

To reciprocate the needle there is splined upon the main driving shaft 43, to move with the carriage, a gear indicated at 47 (Fig. 5), meshing with the driving ear4l8, the latter mounted upon a shaft 49 Figs. 4t and 5) on the traversing carriage. The gear t8 on the shaft t9 meshes with a pinion 50 on the horizontal shaft 51, which shaft is provided with a crank disk 52 (Fig. 5). To

the crank disk is connected a link 53 jointed to a lever arm 5%, the latter pivoted upon the base of the carriage and connected, in turn, by a link 55 with the needle actuating lever 56. The lever? is pivoted at its lower end upon the carriage and at its upper end is provided with a slot 57 which receives a pin 58 connected to the needle, so that, through the oscillating movement imparted to the lever 56, the needle is reciprocated at the proper intervals to perform the drawing-in operation.

In drawing in warp threads through heddles, drop wires or other loom elements arranged in a large number of parallel series an excessively long needle throw soon becomes necessary; In order to provide for such an excessive needle movement, we herein have provided means for augmenting the movement of the. needle over that of the actuating lever 56. While this may be affected in various ways, in the present instance we have interposed between the nee- I dle and the actuating member a pinion and a pair of intermeshing racks, one stationary and the other connected to the needle.

Referring to Figs. 5 to 7 inclusive, the pinion 59 is shown as journaledupon the pin 58 so as to be given a forward and backward movement by the actuating lever. The pinion meshes with the stationary rack 60 secured to the guide way 61 forthe needle, and also with a rack 62, the latter connected, as by the screw 63, with the collar 64:, which herein is fixedly secured to the needle 44. As-the actuating lever 56, therefore, moves forward it not only imparts a linear movement to the pinion 59, but also a ployed, but herein we have shown the stripping-finger 66, which is jointed to the crank disk 67 and slides in the oscillating guide 68, so that, as the disk is rotated, the stripper executes an oscillating movement, properly timed to strip the threads from the needle on the full rotation of the latter. The stripper disk 67 is rotated by the shaft 69, the latter having the beveled gear 70 meshing with the beveled gear 71 on the shaft 51. As indicated in Fig. 4, a hand wheel 72 may be employed in order to operate by hand, if desired, the drawing-in mechanism.

In the operation of the disclosed form of v drawing-in machine, as the carriage travels, the needle is projected first through the dent of a suita ly supported reed, then through that heddle eye which has been previously positioned for that purpose, and then through an appropriately presented drop wire, finally seizing the leading warp thread and drawing the same through the said drop wire, heddle eye and reed dent on its movement of retraction. The reed, which is designated by 7 3, may be mounted in any 0 suitable manner (Figs. 5 and 8), but herein has its lower edge resting in a longitudinal holding member 7a of an appropriate reed carriage, the latter having an upper longitudinal member 75, depending from which are suitable yielding reed clamps 76 normally held in spring-pressed engagement with the upper edge of the reed, but permitting the ready removal of the latter from the carriage. The reed carria e "is sup- 11c ported by one or more hangers 7 provided with rollers 78 by which the reed carriage is sustained for free longitudinal movement upon a rigid trackway or bar 79, longitudinally sustained in the arched frame 3 of the machine, whereby the necessary longitudinal alinement of the reed with reference to the drawing-in mechanism may be secured.

Any suitable means may be employed to 129 aline the proper reed dent with the drawingwith the traversing carriage'and is rotated V by the reed opener shaft 81, the latter having its active end journaled in the bracket 82 rigidly supported by the traversing carriage 45. The reed opener shaft is adapted to be driven by devices hereinafter described either periodically or otherwise, so that, during the drawing-in operation, the thread drawings may be made through the successive reed dents, in accordance with any desired attern or arrangement.

While metallic heddles may be employed, the heddles herein shown are embodied in the ordinary form of knit or cotton harnesses, and are assembled in five groups, each designated by the numeral 83 and each supported by hangers 84 sustained upon the overhead supporting bar (Figs. 1, 8 and 9) 85, the latter mountedv upon rollers 86 so as to be capable of free longitudinal travel for purposes of compensation. The harnesses are preferably held tensioned in any suitable way, as by weighting the lower harness shafts with the weights 87 (Fig. 5).

As viewed in Fig. 1, the needle carriage, during the drawing-in operation, moves from right to left or toward that end of the machine whereat power is applied, move ment being efiected, as described, by the lead screw 37. The lead screw also causes movement of a pattern head carriage 88 synchronously with the needle carriage, the pattern head carriage, for this purpose, being rigidly connected with the needle carriage, as by connections 89 (Fig. 4), so that the needle carriage, pattern head carriage and the sustained and attached parts move as a unit upon suitable guideways 90 and 91 (Fig. 13) during the drawing-in operation.

The device for presenting the heddle eyes and drop wires, as well as the warp threads, are herein supported and carried upon the traversing carriage, so that, like the reed opener, they move progressively with the warp-drawing needlepast or across the several sets of loom elements.

The harness eye presenting devices may be of any desired construction, but herein, for the sake of illustration, we have :shown harness worms 92 (Figs. 4 and 5), one for each harness, constructed and adapted to operate insubstantially the same fashion as described in U. S. Patent 755,861 to Field.-

The harness worms 92 are each mounted upon a separator shaft93, receiving support at their active ends in the upright brackets 94, which latter (Figs. 4 and 5) are rigidly secured to the rearwardly extending arm 95 attached to and movable with the needle carriage 45. The arm 95 also has an upright bracket 96 which provides a support 97 (Fig. 4) for the end of the thread separatorshaft 10. The latter is rovided with a suitable thread selecting presenting device, herein a suitably .allel compacted banks or groups locate msaoao grooved worm or screw 98, the advancing lip of which on each rotation of the shaft is adapted to engage the foremost warp thread and convey it along into alinement with the drawing-in needle. Any suitable means may be provided in lieu of the warp worm herein shown tosuitably select and present the threads of the warp for engagement by the drawing-in needle.

The various selecting and presenting devices for the reed, harness and warp are preferably so coordinately operated by suitable controlling mechanism as to select and present the desired reed dents, harness eyes and warp threads in. accordance with any desired pattern arrangement. For this purpose the actuating members for the various selecting devices, herein comprising the reed opener shaft 81, harness worm shafts 93, and the warp selector shaft 10, extend longitudinally the machine to the pattern head carriage 88, where their 0 eration is conconnection with a warp stop motion when installed in the loom. Before describing the pattern controlling mechanism reference will first be had to the supporting means for the drop wires and the mechanism for presenting them to the threading action.

While the drop wires may be supported in any suitable way and presented to the drawing-in needle in any desired manner, in the specific form of machine disclosed we have arranged the drop heddles in two aparetween the warp separator shaft 10 and the next adjacent harness. While any number of banks or groups may be employed, herein we have shown two such groups and have shown an ordinary or simp e form of drop wire 99 (see Figs. 23 and 24) installed in the machine, although,obviously, any form of drop wire may be employed without departing from the spirit of this invention.

The drop wire 99 is provided with the threading opening 100 and, in the particular form disclosed, also with the elongated eye or opening 101 which, when the drop wire is placed in the loom, is adapted to receive one of the usual contact members of a stop motion attachment. In the drawing-in machine the elongated eye is utilized to support the drop wlre an for that purpose, drop wire supporting rods 102 are employed, each having strung thereon a comwise than herein disclosed may be supported in any suitable manner dependent on the characteristic formation thereof. In the practical operation of the machine the drop wires are strung serially upon their respective supporting bars and the bars are then positioned in the machine frame.

In the described form of machine each series of drop wires is preferably compacted and the successive drop wires presented to the-drawing-in needle or other threading device alternately from the two groups. Any

suitable means may be provided to compactthe drop wires, but for that purpose we have herein disclosed (see particularly Figs. 16 and 17) a packing carriage 106 mounted on rollers 107 to travel along the overhead track bar 108, the latter (Fig. 9) rigidly supported at its ends in the arched frame piece.

In order to retard the movement of the packer carriage the latter is caused tohave 'an adjustable frictional engagement with the track bar 108, the same being herein provided for by the strip 109 of leather or other suitable frictional material interposed between the track bar and the steel or other pressure plate 110, the said plate having an upturned lug or pin 111 entering a socket in the cap 112 attached to the top of the carriage. The cap (Fig. 16) contains a spring 113 which presses down the steel late against the leather, an adjustable screw being provided to regulate the. pressure and thereby the retardation in the movement of the carriage.

To engage and compact the drop wires the carriage has depending therefrom an arm 115, to which is secured the 'longitudi-- nally directed packer rods 116, onepair for each bank of drop wires, and the ends of each pair of rods are provided with a follower or packer 117 which contacts with the end,member of the series of drop wires. Each pair of rods 116 has a packer held in alinement with its proper bank of drop wires and so arranged as to exert pressure against the same and compact the series.

in the event that the two rows of drop wires are of unequal length, equalizing means are preferably employed between the two followers 117, so that a common carriage can still be employed. A simple form of equalizing device is illustrated wherein the rods 116 are caused to project through the arm 115 and are provided at their rear prodro against the curved follower 117 by means ing effect is secured so that an equal pres sure is exerted against the drop wires to compact the same even though one bank is of greater length and extent than the other. Preferably, for purposes of better release and separation, the drop wires are so assembled that a portion of each wire, while compacted, is sprung or bowed from its normal position, and herein forwardly at its upper end, as indicated in Fig. 16. This may be accomplished by suitably shaping the contacting or inner edge of the follower 117. With the drop wire so positioned, the

natural tendency of each drop wire .is to straighten out, whereby, when released, it tends to separate from the compacted series.

It may sometimes be desired, as will be more fully explained, to thread a single group or bank ofdrop wires only, and, in order that this single series may be conr pacted by the same carrier 106 as is here used in common for the two series, the equalizing connections, comprising the pinions 118, rods 116 and follower 117, are preferably made removable and the inner edge of the depending arm 115, where it faces the end of the drop wire series, is given a curved formation similar to the formation of the'follower 117, so that the arm itself may be caused to contact directly with the single series and compact the same. This condition is represented by the showing in Fig. 21,.

As the drawing-in operation progresses, the advancement of the drop wire positioning and presenting mechanism (to be described) toward the right (as viewed in Fig; 16) tends to force the series of compacted drop wires along the supporting bar 102 and against the follower 117 the fol lower yielding as the carriage 106 moves, but imposing at all times upon the end of the drop bars a pressure sufficient to maintain themin compacted condition.-

1n the illustrated form of machine the wires are held in the manner illustrated of a releasing key; which later is turned intermittently to release a drop wire at proper intervals and permit its presentation to the drawing-in needle. While such release may be elfected in any suitable manner, herein the successive drop wiresare provided with alternately didering formations, with reference to which the releasing mechanism acts. Such result is herein secured by providing perforations 120 which are brought into alinement as the drop wires are held in, compacted series, so as to form a channel or passage for the reception of a releasing rod 121, the latter terminating in a head 122, composed of a helical wing or flange presenting to the drop wires an abrupt shoulder 123 (Fig. 27 which is in constant engagement with the foremost drop wire of the compacted series. The perforations 120 being only slightly greater than the diameter of the rod 121, the shouldered head acts (see Fig. 27) to hold back the entire series and press the same against the packer or follower 117 (Fig. 21).

ment of the foremost drop wire, the latter is' free to pass off from the releasing head,

. which it here does not only on account of its curvature and its tendency to spring forward, but also on account of the helical formation which is given. to the releaslng head,-

' by reason of which the drop wire is positively conveyed along and discharged from the releasing head.

Where two banks of drop wires are employed, each is provided with its releasing key, and these preferably act coordinately to release a drop wire-first from one bank and then from the other for presentation to the drawing-in needle at eachthreading movement thereof.

While any suitable presenting mechanism may be employed to engage the "released drop wire and position and'turn it to receive the thread, in the present instance the same is embodied in a rotary device adapted to seize and advance the released drop wire, and a second rotary devicefadapted to turn and present the advanced drop wireto the thread.- For this purpose there is provided 'for'each bank of drop wires a conveying worm 125 secured to the worm shaft 126 and so located (see Figs. 5 and 21) as to operate at the side of each bank of drop wires, above the line of threading openings and. adjacent that end of each drop wire which is perforated by the elongated eye 101. The releasing rod 121 and the worm shafts 126 have their opposite or driven ends connected with an auxiliary head 127,.carrying driving mechanism to be more fully described, which auxiliary head is secured to a longitudinal support 128 attached at one end to the bracket 96 on the needle carriage and at the other end to the pattern-head carriage 88, the active end of each worm shaft being journaled in a projection 129 sustained by the said bracket 96.

7 Referring now to the conveying worm 125 (Fig. 27), as the drop wire is released, it is positively delivered by the helical releasing head to the rotating worm, which latter is deeply grooved so that it is adapted to receive the drop wire endwise as it is discharged from the series and convey it to a position Where it can be turned for the passage of the drawing-in needle through the threading opening 100. Herein the turning and positioning of the drop wire which has been advanced by the conveying worm 125, is accomplished by the positioning and turning worm 130, which is also secured upon the worm shaft 126 next adiacent the worm 125. As shown in Figs. 27 to 32, the turning worm is provided with flanged faces 131 and 132, the inner or leading one of which is provided with a radial slot or opening 133 (see Figs. 27 and 29) to receive edge wise the advanced drop wire, as indicated in Fig. 29. The radial slot opens into a recess 134 which is deepened toward the face 132 and so shaped that, as the drop wire enters the slot, it is gradually turned by the worm portion 135 of diminishing depth into the position represented in Fig. 30, where it is faced with the threading openings presented squarely to the drawing-in needle 44..

Since the turning worm works along that portion of the drop wire which is bifurcated by the elongated eye, the drop wire is sufiiciently elastic to permit its being turned to a facing position, notwithstanding the proximity to the worm of the drop wire support 102. The two positioning and turning worms work on" either side (see Figs. 4 and 5) of the upright wall 136 supported by the bracket 96, and such wall provides an abutment against which (as represented in Figs. 30 and 32) the drop wire is forced by the turning worm, and between which and the worm it is rigidly held in a flatwise, facedcondition. a

To prevent any edgewise movement of the drop wire when faced, tending to impair the alinement between the threading opening and the drawing-in needle, means are preferably provided to hold the faced drop wire in a rigid vertical position. Herein this is accomplished by causing the flanges 131 and. 132 of the turning Worm, between which the drop wire is wiped down into its faced position, to work on either side of a portion 137 (see Fig. 32) of the abutment 136. This is secured by causing the flange 132 to overlap the said abutment and the flange 131 to enter a groove 138 formed in the said abutment, so that the drop wire 99 is held rigid between the abutting portion 137, the two flanges and the face of the turning worm.

To release the threaded drop wire after 139, the position of the discharged and threaded drop wire being represented in Fig. 21.

With the described mechanism it will be seen that the releasing positioning and turning devices for each bank of drop wires, progressing, as they do with the thread ing mechanism serve to release and face a drop wire from each bank alternately for the passage of the needle. For this purpose the two worm shafts, inasmuch as they face a drop wire once each revolution, aretimed 180 apart and make each one full revolution for each two thread drawings, while the two releasing shafts, acting, as they do release a drop wire for each semirevolution, are timed 90 apart and make each one full revolution for every four thread drawings. This provides for the presentation of a drop wire from one series to one thread and a drop wire from the other series to the next succeeding thread. While any desired means may be employed for securing the desired timing of the drop wire presenting mechanism, herein we have mounted upon the auxiliary head 127 driving mechanism for theavorm and releasing shafts, and have provided the common actuating shaft 141 for such driving mechanism, the said shaft extending to the pattern head, where its rotation is timed and controlled in any desired manner.

Referring to the auxiliary head 127, and particularly to Figs. 18 to 21 and Fig. 25, the latter is connected to the upright wall 136 on the needle carriage by the stay rod 142, and is provided with the bifurcated portions 143, on which are carried the necessary driving gears. The Worm shafts 126 are driven (herein at half the speed of the thread separator shaft 10) by similar inter-meshing gears 144, each rigidly secured to its shaft 126, one of the gears having driving connection with the actuating shaft 141.

To drive the releasing rods, the actuating shaft is provided with the pinion 145 which meshes with the larger gear 146 of substantially twice the diameter of pinion 145, which gear drives one of the two short connecting shafts 147. The latter are coupled for turning. movement in opposite directions by the 'intermeshing pinions 148 of equal diameter. Each of the shafts 147 presents,

pling head 149 (Figs. 19v and 20) formed eccentric to the axis of the shaft 147, the end of said head being provided with a lateral pocket or recess 150, sudiciently wide to receive the end of the releasing shaft 121. The latter is adapted to be slipped or swung into the pocket 150 by lateral movement,

being there retained by the sleeve 151,-which is normally pressed out over the pocket by the spring 152, the latter being interposed between the sleeve and an enlargement 153 on the shaft 147, the said spring encircling the stud 154 on which the sleeve is slidably guided.

The end of the releasing rod has a longitudinal slot and, on its insertion, receives a key 155 which is provided with a latching shoulder 156 engaging a shoulder in the slot, so that the end of the rod is held by the said key against turning or longitudinal movement relatively to the shaft 147, and against lateral withdrawal by the sleeve 151. The releasing rod, however, may be readily withdrawn from the coupling for the purpose of installing the drop bar in the machine, or removed-from the same by pressing hack the sleeve 155 to free the end of the releasing rod for lateral withdrawal.

in order to permit the preparation of the machine for drawing a warp, means preferably are provided for withdrawing from the machine the various actuating shafts for the drop wire, the warp thread and the harness presenting mechanism. To this end (see Figs. 4, 14, 15 and 33), the several actuating rods 10, 93 and 141 are removably coupled, adjacent the head 157 on the pattern carriage 88, to the short driving shafts designated by the numeral 158. Such coupling may be provided by any suitable means, but herein the said driving shafts 158 are each socketed (see Fig. 33) to receive the ends of its actuating rod, for example, the worm shaft 10, which, being provided with a longitudinal slot to receive the hinged notched key 159, is held fixed within the coupling. The key is pressed into engagement by the spring 160 so that it may be readily withdrawn and the rod released for removal.

in the direction of the releasing rods, a cou- I Where the machine is employed in conunthreaded bar will be presented to each.

threading operation.

This may be accomplished in any desired way, but herein we have merely interposed between the driving shaft 158 for the drop wire presenting mechanism and the auxiliary head 127 (Figs. 11

and 12) speed changing devices which may be employed to increase the speed of the various actuating shafts are driven either the worm "shaft to .be driven at the same speed as the thread separator shaft 10, and

the releasing shaft Lathalf the speed. In

the present machine this is eifected by pro- .viding anattachment (see Figs. 11 and 12) comprising dprimarily the shell 161 havin the outwar 1y projecting'head 162, whic is so fashioned that it may be applied to the projecting'end. of the actuating shaft to which it is secured by a set screw. The shell 161 has an internal gear 163 which meshes with one or more pinions 164, the latter journaled' on a plate 165 which, with the attachment in position, may be held fixed by the pin or bolt 166 secured to the adjacent stationary-head '157. The pinions 164 mesh each with other pinions 167 also jou'rnaled on-the plate 165, and the pinions 167 with a larger gear 167*, the latter rotatably mounted on aprojection 168 formed on the center 'of the shell.

The pinion 167 isretained on said projectionby a cap 169 and has a hub 170 pinned or otherwise secured to the coupling 171. 1 The coupling has a projection 172 which is socketed and provided with a spring-pressed key of precisely the same construction asthat previously described and' shown in Fig. 33, so that the end of the actuating rod ,141 can be inserted. therein precisely the same as in the socketed end of the shaft 158. I 85- The pinion 163 being preferably twice the diameter of the pinion 167", the effect of the described attachment is to introduce between the driving shaft and the drop wire presenting mechanism a speed changing device which doubles the speed-of such presenting mechanism. When a double bank of drop wires is to be used the described attachment may either be removed'from-the machine entirely, connecting the end of the actuatin rod'141 directly to the shaft158, or,

if esired, the pinioncarrying plate 165 may be fastened to the shell to rotate therewith-as, for example, by inserting the set screw',173, and at the same time removing the bolt'166, thereby renderingthe changing gearin' inefi'ectivel f as In t e illustrated form of machine the various separating and presenting mechanisms are timed so as to present in proper order and at, the desired time appropriate drop wires, heddle eyes andreed dents to thedrawing-in needle. While this may be effected by any desired vmechanism'and in any desired way, in the present instance the threading operation by the employment of interposed clutches, which, turn, are conabl I while the driving clutches for the other sebetween needle reciprocations.

understood by reference to Figs. 4, 14 and 15, where the clutch for the worm shaft 10 is illustrated. As there shown, there is provided for each shaft a clutch-driving member 174 mounted upon the shaft 158, which latter is formed to receive the interior plunger shaft 175 carrying the radial clutch drive pin 176. The drive pin projects through longitudinal openings in the walls of the drive shaft 158 andmay be brought into engagement, according to the position of the plunger rod, with slots 177 in the driving member, or slots 178 in a sleeve 179, the latter fixed to the supporting head 180. In the latter position the drive pin and drive shaft and, consequently, the worm shaft 10, are held against rotative movement, while in the former position the worm shaft is clutched to be driven at the speed imparted thereto by the clutch member 174.

For the actuation of the plunger rods, the latter are each provided at its free end with a grooved collar 181 which is embraced by the forked end of a lever 182, normally re tracted by springs (not shown), but adapted to be thrown forward to force the plunger rod .into the position shown in Fig. 15, and render each its particular clutch and resenting mechanism active for the time being. To impart the desired movements to the various clutch members 174 (see Figs. 4 and 13) any desired driving mechanism may be employed, but herein the main driving shaft 43 has splined thereon a driving gear, 183 meshing with the gear 184 which, in turn, drives the gear 185, both of which are journaled'upon the head wall 180 moving with the pattern carriage. The gear 185 drives the gear 186, which latter has upon one face a pin 187 and upon the opposite face a sprocket wheel 188. To the sprocket wheel is connected the sprocket chain 189 passing to a sprocket wheel 190 on the clutch member 174 for the worm shaft. By this means the worm shaft is driven at a suitably proportioned s eed with reference to the reciprocations o the needle to present a fresh warp to the needle --on each forward movement thereof, provided its driving clutch is held active for each cycle of needle movement.

-The warp worm driving clutch is prefercontmuously rotated, as described,

lecting and presenting mechanisms are preferably intermittently turned, so that their presenting actions can take place quickly For this purpose the remaining clutch members are connected to be driven by the pin 187 .on the gear 186, the pin engaging with a star wheel 191 (indicated in dotted lines in Fig.

: member (see Fig. 4) for the reed separator shaft 81, while the larger pinion 194" is secured to the clutch member for one of the adjacent harness worm shafts. The pinion 194 is caused to'mesh with an adjacent equal dimensioned pinion on each ofthe next adjacent clutch members, and each of the successive clutch members through and including that for'the drop bar actuating rod 141 are likewise geared together, so that the entire series of actuating rods, with the exception of the worm shaft 10 and reed separator rod 81, are intermittently turned,

when their respective clutches are active, at.

the same speed.

The proportions of the gearing are such that, for each reciprocation of the-needle, the gear 186 is turned a full rotation, turning the star wheel intermittently one-sixth of a revolution and the clutch member for the reed shaft a full revolution and, therefore, causing, when its clutch is active, the separation and presentation of a new reed opening to the drawing-in needle.

In the particular form of machine shown each harness worm is adapted to present a fresh heddle eye to the needle for each half revolution of its shaft, the next half revolution conveying such eye out of the needle path. Each harness worm, clutch member, therefore, is preferably turned one-half a revolution for each threading movement, so

that if,.when the needle is retracted, its

a turn to present a fresh eye and heddle to clutch is rendered active it will be given half the needle path, there maintain it positioned until. given a further half turn by having its clutch again rendered active on the next succeeding retraction of the needle.

While any means. may be employed for timing the various selecting devices and controlling the periods of clutching activity,

' herein we cause such functions to be performed by pattern control devices supported upon the outer head 180 of the pattern carriage 88.

In the present case the pattern devices comprise a plurality of pattern chain elements, herein three in number, each mounted upon suitable sprocket wheels (Figs. 2 and 4) carried by the pattern driving shaft 195 and the countershaft 196.

These two shafts are journaled upon brack- I ets 197 and 198 attached to the outer head The reed separating mechanism is provided with a single pattern chain 199 composed of plain links 200 and pattern links 201. In a travel of the pattern chain these links are brought in succession against or adjacent the corresponding actuating lever 182. The plain links cause no movement of such lever, while the pattern links move the lever and engage the clutch.

tion with the actuating lever 182 on each reciprocation of the needle. If the lever is engaged by a pattern link the reed separator is given one turn and a fresh reed dent presented to the needle. If a blank link is presented to the lever no movement takes place and the needle passes through the same reed dent as before. I

The order of succession of blank "or pattern. links may be varied, as desired, but herein the same are shown as arranged in alternation, so that there are drawn as usual two threads to each reed dent.

Since one thread only will ordinarily be drawn through each drop wire and the thread presenting and drop wire presenting devices are, therefore, required to operate once for each thread drawing, a common pattern control element is herein employed for the drop wires and warp threads, the same being embodied in the pattern chain 204. While this may be composed of any desired order of blank and plain links, as

' in the case of the pattern chain 199, in the present instance it is shown as provided with pattern links only, so that for each needle reciprocation a new thread and a new drop wire will be' separated and presented to the needle. In order that the pattern chain 204 may simultaneously control the two clutch members, it acts against an actuating lever (see Fig, 3) which is composed of two separate levers 205 and 206, one for the warp worm and the other for the drop bar mechanism, which levers may be made to operate independently for purposes to be described, but which normally, when the machine is operated as above, are connected to move as a unit by the spring-pressed pin 207.

To time the various harness eye presentceiving recesses are arranged in series, one

series in line with each-operating lever, together with several intermediate series, for purposes to be described. By suitably arlevers.

this is accomplished by mounting (see Fig.

ranging these pegs the operation of the machine may be accompanied by the operation of the heddle presenting mechanism in any desired order of succession. In the particular arrangement shown, the pattern is arranged to present in succession an eye from each of the four first harnesses, drawing a single thread through each, the pattern mechanism for the fifth harness being left blank, so that the corresponding heddle Senting mechanism is inoperative.

In connection with the described drawingin machine, we have provided a selvage atpretaehment which may be thrown into operation when it is desired to draw the selvage. This ordinarily is effected by drawing two threads to a heddle eye and four threads to 2) the sprockets 213,214 and 215, which carry the chains 209, 210 and 199 respectively, on a sliding sleeve216, which latter is mounted toslide endwise on the driving shaft 195. When moved longitudinally on the drive shaft to the opposite limit of movement the pattern chain 210 is placed in control of the reed separator shaft, and the second set or series of pattern pegs which are intermediate the first are brought into control of the several harness worms. These may be pegged as desired, but'herein the reed separator controlling chain 210 is provided with pattern links, each followed by three blank links, so that the reed separator will be turned once only for each four thread drawings. The various pattern pegs for the harness worms arealso varied, so that each harness eye, when presented to the needle,

will be dwelled for two thread drawings to receive a pair of threads, instead of a single thread as before. Since this change of pattern control can be efi'ected without altering.

the pattern. control provided by the chain 204 over the presenting devices for the warp thread and drop wires, the utilization of this selvage attachment does not affect the presentation of a fresh drop wire for each thread and the drop wires will continue to be presented, one for each thread drawing, as before, notwithstanding that the-heddle eyes are presented one only for each twothreaddrawings.

The shiftable sleeve 216 is provided at each end with recesses (see Fig.2) which 'are adapted to cooperate with pins 217 and 218 projecting, one from the collar 219 and, the other from the sprocket member1220,

both of which latter are fixedly secured to the driving shaft 194, so that in either position of the sleeve the same is clutched to the driving shaft. The sleeve is adapted to be shifted endwise by means of a hand lever 221 pivotally mounted on the frame and engaging a collar 222 on the end of a plunger rod 223. The latter is slidably mounted within the drive shaft 195 and is provided with means, such as the pin 224 working in a slot in the drive shaft, to connect it with the said sleeve and cause movement of the latter.

While the machine as described is especially adapted to be used in connection with drop wires intended to receive but a single thread each, not only may drop wires of other formation than the specific one herein described be used, but the machine may be used in connection with multiple threaded drop wires intended to receive a plurality of threads.

Referring to Fig. 22 we have, for illustrative purposes, represented a common form of multiple threaded drop wire, which is provided with upper and lower elongated eyes or perforations 225 and 226, the lower one being ordinarily employed to receive a plurality of threads.

When it is desired to employ drop wires of the last described form, in the present drawing-in machine the same may be supported in compacted series, as before, by stringing them upon the supporting bar with the latter. passed through either the upper perforation 225' or the lower perforation 226, but preferably the latter, as represented by dotted lines in Fig. 22. Whatever mode of support is employed," the bank of drop bars-may be adjusted vertically, as previously described, to bring the releasing openings 120 and the threading openings to the proper level;

Where dro wires of the described form are employe or any drop wire through which it is desired to place more than a single thread, thedrop wire presenting'mechanism is .so timed as to present a new drop wire to the threading device once only for the re uired number of threading operations. hile this may be provided for in various ways, herein this is accomplished by providing on the pattern element 208 sockets ada ted to .receive pattern pegs (not here shown to form a series alining with the clutch actuating lever 206 for the dro wire present-ing mechanism. The pin '20 (Fig. 3) connecting the drop wire actuating lever 206 with the warp worm actuating lever 205, may be then withdrawn and held "out of engagement with the lever 206 by the lateral locking pin 227, thereby permitting the independent movement of the lever 206 under the control of its individual pattern, instead of underfthe control of the warp worm pattern chain 207. The drop wire pattern can then be pegged out, so that the drop Wire presenting clutch will be rendered active only as deemed, for example, once only for each five rotations of the warp worm and therefore, for each five thread drawings, where it is desired to place five threads through each successive drop wire.

By this means either multiple thread or single thread drop Wires may be employed at will upon the machine, their presentation in the one case being controlled by a timing member common to the warp Worm, and in the other case by a timing member independent of the timing of the warp worm.

It will be obvious that, in respect to many features of the mechanism for handling and presenting the drop heddles, or drop Wires, to the threading operation, it is immaterial Whether such members are actually drop heddles or drop Wires, or the heddles of a metallic harness, and that, in many of its features, the invention herein described is applicable equally well to the heddles of a metallic harness. It will also be obvious that we have herein described and shown We claim is:

1. In a Warp-drawing machine, the combination with a thread-placing needle, of means for presenting to the needle successive dents of a loom reed, threads of a Warp and selected eyes of one or more harnesses, a plurality of groups of drop wires, and pattern control means for controlling the presentation of members of the several groups to the thread-placing needle.

2. In a machine for separating and selecting independent thread-engaging loom elements, such as metallic heddles, drop 'wires, or the like, the combination with means for holding such elements in compacted series, rotative means to release them individually from the series, and means working above the releasing means for positioning the released elements.

3. In a machine for separating and selecting detached thread-engaging loom elements, such as flat metallic heddles or drop Wires, the combination with means to suspend the elements in compacted series, means to bend or how the elements outwardly, means to release the bowed members individually from the series, and means working above the releasing means to position the released element.

4. In a machine for separating and select- Tilt provided with threading openings, the combination with means to support such members in compacted series, and rotary posi tioning means engaging the individual members of the series above the line-0f threading openings.

5. In a machine for separating and select ing detached thread-engaging members, such as detached metallic heddles or drop wires, the combination with means for holding the said members in a compacted series, and means for selecting-and turning the individual members of the series, said turning means engaging the members above the line of threading openings.

6. In a machine for separating and, selecting detached thread-engaging members, such as metallic. heddles, drop wires or the like, the combination with means for holding such members in a compacted series, and releasing means for" releasing successive members therefrom, said releasing means engaging the fiat face of the foremost member and holding back the compacted series below the line of threading openings.

7. In a machine for separating and selecting metallic drop wires having each an elongated opening adapted to receive a contact member in the loom, the combinationwith means for supporting the drop wires in assembled series, and rotary drop wire separating means for engaging the individ- 'ual heddles each in the portion occupied by the said opening.

8. In a machine for separating and selecting metallic drop wires having each an elongated opening, the combination with means for supporting said dro wires through said openings, and means or individually turning the drop bars at or about the vicinity of said openings.

9. In. a machine for separating and selecting detached loom members, such as metallicheddles or drop wires, the combination with means to support said members in series and means to position and turn the individual members, said means comprising a stationary abutment against which the fiat face of said member is pressed, and a rotary turning device having guiding flanges adapted to embrace the edges of each of said members, said flanges overlapping the face of said abutment.

10. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a rotary turning worm having guiding lips or flanges, of a stationary abutment so formed as to present an abutting portion to the worm within and between the said flanges.

11. In a machine of the class described for separating and selecting detached loom members, such as metallic heddles, drop wires or the like, the combination with 

